Moving to Glasgow from abroad-- what kind of shoes do kids need for school?

[Santelia]

We are moving to Glasgow from US this school year and I am wondering what kind of footwear is appropriate for daily wear to school in the rainy and cold weather? Does the school uniform regulate footwear? Do kids wear rubber rain boots/galoshes on some days and pack their regular shoes with them, or keep the boots at school? Do children often wear the thicker, insulated rain boots (such as waterproof snow boots) in the winter, and in this case, do they also bring changes of shoes to school? Or do they tend to get a more heavy duty water resistant 'regular' shoe or boot for daily wear and thus avoid all the changes. Thank you!

At my dd's school anything goes really. They have indoor shoes (plimsolls) which they change into when they get inside anyway so wellies on rainy days and snow boots in the winter are all perfectly normal.

For non rainy days my dd has a pair of Clarks Mary Jane type. Seems to be what most the girls wear.

Thank you! Do the older girls (my dd is 9) tend to wear the Mary Janes, too?

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Selsey-Cool-BL/p/26118895

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Agnes-Meg-BL/p/26126602

At 9 it would probably be something like the above. They are more practical too really.

It really depends on the school tbh, My daughter wears trainers to her primary school, the uniform doesn't cover shoes. If she wears snow boots in winter then that's what she wears all day as no-one changes shoes.

Agree that it depends on the school. My DD is a similar age and usually wears black loafers in summer and black boots in winter. She'll wear wellies or take a change of shoes if it is very wet. School uniform is black shoes but it's not enforced. That won't be the case for private school or some stricter state schools.

Wait till you get the uniform list. We are quite strict for DD1 - quite a mine field - heel height - laces etc. DD2's school is more relaxed.
John Lewis or Carks will sell suitable shoes - once you have the goal. I would suggest waiting till you arrive. Glasgow is lovely.

Some primary schools ask the children to keep indoor shoes in the school and others don't. My ds went to a primary school where the kids did not change their shoes so if he wore wellies he had them on all day. He moved to a different primary school where they keep shoes in the classroom to change into which I prefer. My ds is 9 and last summer I bought him a water resistant shoe/boot from clarks which has been great. The shoe/boot has last him all year and has been good for all weathers. I will probably do the same for the next school year.

Thank you all, this is very helpful. Our current school in the US does not do uniforms so I'm not familiar with the rules. I'm trying to pack all our necessities right now for our move and didn't want to waste space in suitcases with shoes and boots we won't need, or end up buying new boots when we get there when we already own them! Sounds like I will just pack the kids' snow and rain boots and then buy their every day shoes once we arrive. We're not even sure which school catchment we'll be in so I suppose we'll just get those shoes last minute. Is there a good brick-and-mortar store in Glasgow to buy the John Lewis or Clarks, or does everyone order online? I'd prefer the kids to try on in person if possible.

There is a big John Lewis in town (near Buchanan St underground), plus branches of Clarks in various locations. Avoid the fortnight before school starts if possible! Marks and Spencer also do good school shoes.

I wouldn't worry too much about the uniform as all of the large department stores, e.g. John Lewis, marks and Spencer's, Debenhams, house of Frasers and supermarkets will be full of suitable clothes and shoes.

School shoes are sold everywhere. I like startrite best but other brands like clarks and ricosta are also good. There are loads of clarks stores around and John Lewis stock brands like startrite. Most parents go into shops like Clark's (rather than order online) as they do a shoe fitting service.

If your children are particularly hard in shoes or tend to grow out shoes super fast you might consider cheaper options such as supermarkets or high street shoe shops. I wouldn't worry too much as school shoes are stocked most places all year round.

For wet weather I tend to buy boots and our school requires Soft indoor shoes so they change out of wet shoes anyway. I don't do wellington boots because they are too wide for my DDs skinny feet, but lots of people do.